The Mummy’s Bedtime Story Book (1929). Illustrated by Jessie M. King.

The Mummy’s Bedtime Story Book (1929), illustrated by Jessie M. King, is a rare and charming volume of bedtime tales designed for young children. Published by Cecil Palmer, this beautifully produced book combines gentle storytelling with King’s elegant and dreamlike black-and-white illustrations, perfectly capturing the comforting and imaginative world of bedtime reading in the interwar years.

The stories are short, soothing, and often moral or whimsical in nature—ideal for quiet moments between mother and child. While the authorship is somewhat ambiguous (typical of many such anthologies of the time), the star of the volume is clearly King’s visual contribution. Her ethereal line drawings, filled with flowing gowns, fairy-tale creatures, and delicate patterns, elevate the simplicity of the text into something magical and lasting.

Jessie M. King (1875–1949) was a Scottish illustrator, designer, and writer associated with the Glasgow Style, an offshoot of Art Nouveau. She studied at the Glasgow School of Art and quickly became known for her intricate pen-and-ink work, featuring elongated figures, symbolic motifs, and strong decorative elements. By the late 1920s, King was an established artist whose books, posters, and ceramics had found a dedicated following. In The Mummy’s Bedtime Story Book, her style is more restrained than in her earlier, more elaborate works, yet still retains the lyrical and fantastical qualities that define her oeuvre.

This book is highly collectible, both for its scarcity and for the distinctive contribution it makes to the world of early 20th-century children’s literature. It represents the gentler, imaginative side of King’s artistry and offers a beautiful example of story and illustration in harmony.

Recommended for collectors:

• The High History of the Holy Graal (1903), illustrated by Jessie M. King – A mystical Arthurian epic brought to life through King’s ornamental style.
• The Defence of Guenevere and Other Poems (1904), by William Morris, illustrated by Jessie M. King – A lyrical and romantic poetry collection with powerful illustrations.
• The Dream Garden (1918), illustrated by Florence Harrison – Lushly decorated fairy tales and verses, perfect for fans of stylized early 20th-century illustration.

Other Jessie M. King illustrated works available in our gallery: The Defence of Guenevere, A House of Pomegranates, The High History of the Holy Graal, Seven Happy Days, Poems of Spenser, Habitation Forcee.

Art Gallery: Jessie M. King – The Mummy’s Bedtime Story Book 1929